Development of a triboelectric nanogenerator using nylon-hybrid yarn

Abstract

Human needs are continually changing with the enhancement of novel electronic technologies. The Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence, and 5G technology have led to state-ofthe-art

products to improve the living standards if a rapidly increasing global population. Wearable electronics, which closely associated with human activities, are typically powered with replaceable or rechargeable batteries. There are significant drawbacks of existing power supplies for wearable electronics, including low flexibility and stretchability, limited autonomy, low biocompatibility and high weight. Portable and renewable energy harvesting are possible from a wearer's physical movements in an ambient environment. In recent years, this has been achieved using Piezoelectric and Triboelectric nanogenerators, which act as an alternative to batteries for powering wearable electronic devices. However, such technologies' challenges include the magnitude and consistency of power output, fabrication for mass-scale production and operation under small mechanical movements. This project focus on developing a triboelectric nanogenerator using silver-coated nylon yarn, silicone and polyurethane with a rib knitting structure. The basic fundamental methods of applying triboelectric layers such as dip coating, printing and yarn coating methods analysis for wearable and electrical outputs. Yarn coated sample shows the best results with even coverage, good air permeability (101 cm3/cm2/s), high moisture management properties and high stretchability (Stretchability -75.82%, Recoverability- 76.67% and elastic modulus of 1.4093). Furthermore, when polyurethane bonded air textured sample used as a secondary triboelectric layer, the final device shows a maximum short circuit current of 3.412 µA/m , the charge density of 6.12 µC/m2 and maximum open-circuit voltage of 51.08 V under the 1 mm amplitude over 1 Hz frequency. Finally, the device used to generate a peak power of 116.8 µW/m2 through 10 GΩ resistors under the same motion profile.